Saturday, February 26, 2011

a bag a day: the orient reverse bag

for grandma

Nana Linda's lifestyle is strongly influenced by the Orient. You can see it in her furnishings and clothing. She has been to the East many times. Her husband (my grandfather) was a prisoner of war of the Japanese and formed friendships with his captors that endure to this day. She is a sensational lady and deserves an equally sensational bag for her day-to-day things.

It started with a vintage chinoiserie fabric sample - purchased from this shop on etsy (though most of her stock is now here on ebay). Both sides of the fabric are lovely, and I couldn't decide which to use... solution: make it reversible!

The contrast panel is a silk and linen blend - from tessuti. The seams are covered in a burnt gold grosgrain ribbon.